Gastric reflux in pregnancy
I heartburn, scientifically called pyrolysis, which affect many pregnant women are caused by gastroesophageal reflux. Between 45 and 80% of pregnant women suffer from gastric reflux in pregnancy. For 98% of women it has the complete spontaneous recovery after the birth of the child.
Burning is caused by gastric juices that come out of the stomach and go up the walls of the esophagus where there is a mucous membrane that is not protected against acids and this causes the burning sensation.
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Gastric reflux in pregnancy symptoms
The typical symptoms that the woman may experience are the retrosternal heartburn, acid regurgitation and nausea, the atypical ones include the dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), globe sensation, non-cardiac back sternal pain, dyspepsia and abdominal pain. Finally, there are also extraesophageal symptoms, always uncommon, such as sinusitis, pharyngitis, hoarseness, chronic cough, laryngitis, dental erosions and asthma.
Causes
The burning is caused by several factors:
- il progesterone produced by the placenta decreases gastric mobility and peristaltic movements which increase the time of stomach emptying, so the food remains more time in the stomach and the contact of gastric juices with the esophagus can be increased.
- l'uterus as it grows it compresses the stomach and intestines, consequently decreasing the capacity of the stomach and slowing down digestion.
Gastric reflux in pregnancy what to eat
To avoid gastric reflux it is advisable to eat often and in small quantities at a time since the capacity of the stomach is reduced by the presence of the uterus and because it takes longer to empty.
Try not to eat heavy foods very greasy and / or very protein. Certain foods should be avoided because they can increase stomach acid such as mint, chocolate, coffee and tea with theine, alcohol, fruit juices, onions, peppers, citrus fruits, tomatoes, beans and peas. All people are different and some of these foods may not even increase reflux, others may poorly tolerate other foods or the combination of foods that separately do not cause stomach acid. This is why you have to be careful what you eat when you have attacks so that you can correct your diet and avoid those foods and reduce reflux.
Read also: Gastroesophageal reflux in children and Ph-metryGastric reflux in pregnancy remedies
Increase the intake of vitamin B1 and B2 can help control acidity, foods rich in these vitamins are brewer's yeast, eggs, fresh pineapple, hazelnuts and buckwheat.
In addition to the correction of the power supply you can pay attention to behavioral habits. It might be useful to raise the bed 15-20 cm on the pillow side, try not to sleep on the back or on the right side because the gastric juices in these positions find less obstacles to get to the esophagus. After meals it is recommended not to lie down for about 3 hours so that gravity favors the emptying of the stomach.
About Smokes even in pregnancy you should know that smoking increases esophageal reflux and it may be helpful not to smoke to reduce attacks.
Stomach acidity can increase in times of stress and cause belching, it also increases according to the position taken or the movements you make.
If the heartburn is too severe, the doctor will probably prescribe a antacid such as Maalox which can be taken during pregnancy.
Gastric reflux in pregnancy natural remedies
- juice of potato centrifuged, 1/3 of a glass away from meals
- alginic acid: it is a substance that is extracted from particular algae, inside the stomach it transforms into a gel that creates a mechanical barrier and protects the esophageal mucosa from gastric juices. (1 mg after the two main meals)
- Altea - althaea officinalis -: dry extract 500 mg per tablet, 2 tablets after main meals. Infusion (leaves-flowers): 2 g per cup of boiling water; leave to infuse for 10 minutes, filter and drink several times a day,
- extracts or herbal teas of chamomile, aloe and licorice
- lo ginger in addition to helping against nausea, it is an excellent remedy for acidity, you can eat both fresh and dry powder, about 300 mg after meals, here you will find many recipes
- flax seed: in the morning create a decoction with flax seeds. Put about 1 tablespoon of seeds in a saucepan with just under 1 finger of water, cook over medium heat, stirring as a gel forms, when all the seeds are incorporated into the gel the decoction will be ready. It can be taken both in the morning and in the evening or when there is a reflux attack.
